When veterans leave the military, they often step into a world that feels unfamiliar and unsupportive. The structure, leadership roles, and camaraderie of service life are suddenly replaced with ambiguity and isolation. For retired Army Sergeant First Class Jeremy Walker, that reality hit hard after 22 years of decorated service in military intelligence. But through his personal challenges, Jeremy found not only purpose—but a mission: veteran business empowerment.
As the founder of Helmets to Boots, Jeremy has built a transformative platform focused on equipping veterans and their families with the resources, knowledge, and network to thrive as entrepreneurs and community leaders. His story is not just inspiring—it’s instructive for anyone looking to understand what real empowerment for veterans looks like.
From Military Ranks to Rock Bottom
Jeremy WalkerJeremy’s transition out of the military didn’t follow the script many imagine. After retiring as a senior geospatial intelligence officer and drone instructor, he expected to land a high-paying job, maintain a stable family life, and enjoy a smoother pace. Instead, he was fired from a government contract for “working too fast”—a byproduct of his high-speed, high-discipline military mindset.
Personal setbacks followed: a divorce, losing custody of his children, and a crisis of identity. These challenges forced Jeremy to ask a critical question: “What’s my purpose now?”
The answer would come through entrepreneurship.
Boots to Business—and a New Vision
Jeremy’s journey into entrepreneurship began with the Department of Defense’s Boots to Business program—a turning point that helped him connect the dots between his military experience and business potential. “I realized we were already doing business in the Army,” he said. “Organizational leadership, resource management—it was all there. I just needed to reframe it.”
That perspective empowered Jeremy to launch multiple ventures, with Helmets to Boots becoming the centerpiece of his mission to advance veteran business empowerment. It wasn’t just about starting companies—it was about using his story and skillset to uplift other veterans and close information gaps that prevent them from reaching their potential.
What Is Helmets to Boots?
Helmets to Boots is both a foundation and a consulting firm, structured around three powerful pillars of veteran business empowerment:
1. Direct Support for Veterans and Families
Jeremy personally dedicates hours each week to speaking with veterans and their families about critical issues like disability ratings, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and benefit eligibility. These one-on-one sessions mirror the leadership and mentoring roles of military service—ensuring no veteran feels left behind.
Jeremy emphasizes what he calls “quality of life empowerment,” helping people understand the full range of tools available to them. “Imagine if someone sat with you for three hours after you left the military and told you about all the benefits you didn’t know existed,” he said. “It would change your life.”
2. Educating Corporate America
Through his LLC, Jeremy trains corporate leaders, hiring managers, and HR departments on how to understand and support veteran employees. From explaining Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) to promoting inclusive hiring practices, he helps companies better align with veteran culture—minimizing the risk of hiring mismatches and workplace frustration.
The result? Better job matches, higher retention, and fewer barriers to career advancement for transitioning veterans.
3. The Vetron Training Initiative
Jeremy’s peer-led education model pulls from over 250 veteran-owned businesses, each contributing to a rotating training and speaking circuit. Topics include estate planning, financial literacy, VA home loans, and wellness—everything a transitioning service member or veteran entrepreneur might need.
It’s a military-style structure built for the civilian world: primary, secondary, and backup speakers from across disciplines working together to educate and uplift.
Empowering Veterans Through Education
Jeremy didn’t just stop at the Boots to Business course. He completed a business degree in 18 months through VA Vocational Rehab, followed by a master’s in Organizational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts. He also completed mindfulness and wellness training at the University of Health and Performance, and earned project management training through Syracuse University’s Onward to Opportunity program.
These experiences shape his advocacy today. Jeremy believes education is the cornerstone of veteran business empowerment—and he doesn’t just talk the talk. He walks the walk.
Creating Platforms for Growth and Visibility
One of Helmets to Boots’ newest ventures is the Veteran Business Showcase, an event scheduled for July 26 at the DeKalb Airport in Atlanta. This event breaks away from the typical “veterans talking to veterans” model by inviting the public to engage directly with veteran-owned businesses in diverse industries—from estate planning to media production.
“There’s a misconception that veteran businesses only serve other veterans,” Jeremy explains. “We’re business owners who happen to be veterans—and we’re here to serve everyone.”
The showcase will feature speaking engagements, professional headshots, promotional videos, and networking opportunities—all geared toward helping veteran entrepreneurs gain visibility and market access.
Additionally, Jeremy co-hosts a weekly Thursday networking event in partnership with the ATL airport at the Kimpton Hotel, where attendees can meet business leaders, veterans, and local influencers.
Legacy and Leadership
At the heart of Jeremy’s mission is the belief that servant leadership never ends—it just changes form. From his early dreams of becoming a business owner to his current work as a speaker, trainer, and connector, Jeremy embodies what it means to empower through action.
His mantra: “Wherever there’s a lack of information, there’s a business opportunity.”
And that’s exactly what Helmets to Boots has become—a dynamic, empowering hub for veterans and their families to thrive.
Conclusion: The Future of Veteran Business Empowerment
Jeremy Walker’s work with Helmets to Boots illustrates that veteran business empowerment isn’t a buzzword—it’s a movement. It’s about more than starting companies; it’s about reclaiming identity, educating others, building community, and creating sustainable pathways to success.
If you’re a transitioning veteran, a corporate leader, or a community advocate, now is the time to engage with the tools, training, and leadership models that are transforming veteran lives across the country.
To connect with Jeremy or learn more about Helmets to Boots:
Visit HelmetsTOBoots.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 470-295-2349
Social: Search “Helmets to Boots” on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms.
